Minecraft guides
Free Minecraft server hosting vs paid
Free hosts like Aternos are a great way to start. When your world grows, your friends get tired of waiting, or you want a modpack, a paid server from £2 a month gives you the memory and the always-on server to match.
Free and paid, side by side
| A free host like Aternos | AwakeNode | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, with adverts | From £2 a month |
| Memory | Around 1 to 1.5 GB, depending on how busy it is | 2 GB to 32 GB, the amount you choose |
| Starting the server | A queue when the service is busy | Starts straight away |
| More memory | Can't be bought; only short boosts | Move to a bigger plan any time |
| Big modpacks | Too little memory for most | One-click installs, with the memory they need |
What we say about Aternos comes from its own staff's answers on its forum, in November 2026.
When it's time to move
- Your friends are waiting in a queue to play.
- The server lags as your world, or your group, grows.
- You want a modpack that needs more memory than you can get.
- You want the server on whenever your friends want to play.
Try a paid server free
Our Minecraft Budget 4 GB plan is free for 48 hours, no card needed. Upload your world and see the difference. See the plans, or work out how much memory you need.
Questions
Is Aternos really free?
Yes. It's free and paid for by adverts. The trade-offs are the memory it gives each server, waiting in a queue when it's busy, and that you can't pay for more.
Will I lose my world if I move?
No. Download your world from your current host and upload it to your new server's files, or ask us to help. Your builds come with you.
What's the cheapest paid server?
Ours start at £2 a month, with no setup fee and no contract.
More on running a Minecraft server